Michigan Bike Tour

Start your Michigan bike tour with a ride along the scenic 17-mile Leelanau Trail, part of the Traverse Area Recreation Transportation (TART) network of trails, offering picturesque views of Traverse Bay and Old Mission Point. We'll stop in Suttons Bay for a delightful group lunch before continuing our ride to our final destination, The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor. Upon arrival, we'll be welcomed with a reception and enjoy a group dinner at Café Manitou, overlooking the magnificent Lake Michigan. The Homestead will serve as our home base until Wednesday morning, providing us with the luxurious amenities of an all-inclusive resort. You'll have the chance to explore and indulge in the resort's offerings throughout the week.

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The Homestead

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Sleeping Bear and Glen Arbor – Bike and Hike. This morning, after breakfast, we head out from The Homestead for a stunning loop ride through the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore, voted the Most Beautiful Place in America by USA Today. We'll ride along the aquamarine waters of Glen Lake and then down to Empire, where we'll hop on the Leelanau Heritage Trail and onto the 7.8-mile Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. Your leaders will treat you to a beautiful lunch on Picnic Mountain, and then you can do a leisurely hike through the dunes on the Cottonwood Trail. Stop at the Dune overlook, where you will get a world-class vista of Lake Michigan from an observation deck at the top of a 450-foot dune. For those who want a different hike option, you can join one of your leaders for a strenuous hike up the dune climb and then about 4 miles through the dunes, reuniting with your bikes in Glen Haven. Glen Haven, the small village on the Lake Michigan shoreline, is a step back when small towns and docks supplied fuel to steamers along the Great Lakes. On the final stretch home, visit Glen Arbor and shop before returning to The Homestead. Dinner is on your own at one of the fine establishments at The Homestead.

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The Homestead

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Hike: 1.2 or 4.5 Miles

Bike, Paddle, or Relax! Today is a day of options. Join your leaders for a bucket list loop ride on Old Mission Point, taking in lakeshore views, orchards, vineyards, and the Old Mission Point Lighthouse located directly on the 45th parallel – halfway between the equator and the North Pole. For those looking for a day on the water, enjoy a kayak paddle down the Crystal River with the local Crystal River Outfitters, followed by lunch on your own in Glen Arbor. Or you can spend the day enjoying The Homestead; treat yourself to a massage at the spa, rent a paddleboard and go out on Lake Michigan, sit on the beach and read a book, or make your adventure. We'll all convene for a lovely group dinner at Nonna's Ristorante.

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The Homestead

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Off to Petosky! We start the day with one last breakfast at The Homestead, then board the van for a shuttle to Boyne City. Our morning ride will take us 19 miles from the outdoor enthusiast center of Boyne City through rolling hills, farms, and wooded roads to the charming town of Charlevoix, nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. Enjoy lunch on your own in Charlevoix – pick your favorite or try some Pierogi at Marek’s Harbor Grill or The Back Lot Charlevoix. Explore the town and enjoy a walk out on the South Pier to see the Lighthouse. Shop from a collection of boutiques for clothing, jewelry, or local art galleries. The afternoon consists of a mellow 17.5-mile ride on the Little Traverse Wheelway from Charlevoix to the Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey. Enjoy a group dinner at the Noggin Room Pub located in the hotel.

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Stafford’s Perry Hotel

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Tunnel of Trees and Lake Michigan Shoreline. Today offers the longest and most spectacular ride option as we head north. We'll hop on the Wheelway for a few miles as we leave Petoskey behind, pass through Harbor Springs, and onto the 20-mile historic Tunnel of Trees route. In all its glory, Lake Michigan will peek through the trees as we wind north and see summer cottages of all shapes, sizes, and vintage. We'll pause for lunch in Cross Village at the historic Legs Inn – so named for the woodstove legs that adorn the roofline – and then continue into Mackinaw City on a mixture of quiet roads and bike paths. A quick ferry ride will take us to carless Mackinac Island, where bikes and horses are the only means of transportation. We stay at the stunning and historic Grand Hotel on the island tonight. Enjoy the pampering and join us for a farewell dinner at one of the hotel's iconic restaurants.

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Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

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On our final day, we’ll enjoy breakfast at the Grand Hotel and board a horse-drawn carriage for a historical tour of Mackinac Island. Following the tour, you can take your bike on a final ride on the 8.2-mile loop around the island or spend your last hours shopping in the downtown area. A short ferry ride back to Mackinaw City will reunite us with the Sojourn van, and we’ll shuttle 2.5 hours back to Traverse City, where we can drop you at the Cherry Capital Airport.

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